Programming DNA-Based Systems through Effective Molarity Enforced by Biomolecular Confinement

The fundamental concept of effective molarity is observed in a variety of biological processes, such as protein compartmentalization within organelles, membrane localization and signaling paths. To control molecular encountering and promote effective interactions, nature places biomolecules in specific sites inside the cell in order to generate a high, localized concentration different from the bulk concentration. Inspired by this mechanism, scientists have artificially recreated in the lab the same strategy to actuate and control artificial DNA-based functional systems. Here, it is discussed how harnessing effective molarity has led to the development of a number of proximity-induced strategies, with applications ranging from DNA-templated organic chemistry and catalysis, to biosensing and protein-supported DNA assembly

Proton cyclotron wave generation mechanisms upstream of Venus

[1] Long-term observations of proton cyclotron waves in the upstream region of Venus raise the question of under which general solar wind conditions these waves are generated and maintained. The waves are characterized by their occurrence at the local proton cyclotron frequency and left-hand polarization, both in the spacecraft frame. Magnetometer data of the Venus Express spacecraft for two Venus years of observations are analyzed before, during, and after the occurrence of these waves. The configuration of the upstream magnetic field and the solar wind velocity is investigated, to study if the waves are generated from a ring distribution of pickup ions in velocity space or from a parallel pickup ion beam, i.e., for quasi-parallel conditions of solar wind velocity and magnetic field when the solar wind motional electric field is weak. It is found that stable and mainly quasi-parallel magnetic field conditions for up to ∼20 min prior to wave observation are present, enabling sufficient ion pickup and wave growth to obtain observable waves in the magnetometer data. Persistent waves occur mainly under quasi-parallel conditions. This is in agreement with linear theory, which predicts efficient wave growth for instabilities driven by field-aligned planetary ion beams, already for low pickup ion density. The occurrence of highly coherent waves at 4 RV upstream toward the Sun implies that planetary neutral hydrogen is initially picked up at least 5 RV toward the Sun from a sufficiently dense Venus hydrogen exosphere.Fil: Delva, M.. Austrian Academy of Sciences; AustriaFil: Mazelle, C.. Universitá Paul Sabatier; FranciaFil: Bertucci, Cesar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciónes Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio. - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio; ArgentinaFil: Volwerk, M.. Austrian Academy of Sciences; AustriaFil: Vörös, Z.. University of Innsbruck; AustriaFil: Zhang, T. L.. Austrian Academy of Sciences; Austri

Evaluation of operational parameters on the precipitation of endoglucanase and xylanase produced by solid state fermentation of Aspergillus niger

In order to develop cost effective processes for converting biomass into biofuels, it is essential to improve enzyme production yields, stability and specific activity. In this context, the aim of this work was to evaluate the concentration of two enzymes involved in the hydrolysis of biomass, endoglucanase and xylanase, through precipitation. Statistical experimental design was used to evaluate the influence of precipitant agent concentration (ammonium sulfate and ethanol), aging time, and temperature on enzyme activity recovery. Precipitant agent concentration and aging time showed a statistically significant effect at the 95% confidence level, on both enzyme activity recoveries. The recovery of endoglucanase with ammonium sulfate and ethanol reached values up to 65 and 61%, respectively. For xylanase, the recovery rates were lower, 27 and 25% with ammonium sulfate and ethanol, respectively. The results obtained allowed the selection of the variables relevant to improving enzyme activity recovery within operational conditions suitable for industrial applications.1726Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Earth-Satelite Monitoring System for Storaged Grains.

Abstract— Despite Brazil being the fifth country in the world in area and population, it is the largest in terms of cultivated land area, becoming a global player related to food production and exportation in the last decades. At the same time, food production increases year by year as do infrastructure problems. One of the crucial problems is related to grain storage. The availability of grain storage now is lower than the total of grain produced, leading producers to promptly sell production that could not be stored. Some companies sell to farmers solutions like silo bags, or plastic bags, as a fast way to overcome this kind of problem. Grains stored in silos are susceptible to insect infestation and fungal growth, depending on initial conditions and storage conditions, which can lead to the loss of part or even the entire stock. The statistics are unclear or do not exist, but it is estimated that technology can reduce losses from 40-50% to 1-2%. This project proposes monitoring post-harvest variables to detect or even forecast potential risks to the quality of the stored product. This solution requires data transmission in areas that lack cellular network coverage. To overcome this limitation and offer a robust solution, the team chose to use a satellite to communicate between two ground stations: one that sends the measured data and the other close to the data center to receive and process the data. This demand was embraced by the company CRIAR Space Systems which is, together with Embrapa, working on solutions such as installing silo bags, monitoring physical and chemical variables in those silos to automatically produce alert signals. These signals can indicate the presence of contamination in the silos due to local fermentation, or due to the presence of high/low bulk moisture and temperature, for instance. Another CRIAR feature is the development of communication antennas for satellite signals with the purpose of further launching a private satellite dedicated to monitoring all farms covered by this service. The scope of this work in progress is to show how this is being planned and applied